Rejuvenation and Healing
Floating between realities! Wow, where am I? It was surreal enough to be traveling for over 30 hours. I woke early Monday morning to prepare to head to the airport. I didn’t see a bed again until Wednesday night! Lots of waiting and uncertainty. Flights cancelled. Change of plans. Eventually arriving. Then being unable to get into my room at 6:30 am becuase their system didn’t work. Fortunately, I got some sleep on the sofa when a guest let me in.
Still, 15 hours of time change is a big deal. For three days, I would get this dizzy sort of feeling in my head. Not really dizzy but disoriented. I was going for breakfast when I would normally be getting ready for bed! My mind and body were not fully here!
Fortunately, I know how to meditate so got some rest on the planes. And, i did a great job of hydrating which is huge! Once here, I got an acupuncture session within a few hours. That really helped.
Today…I have been here three full days. I’m feeling here now. I’ve had two acupuncture sessiona and an awesome massage. The cost for those three sessions has been a total of $56 US. Yes, a 90-minute massage and two hour long acupuncture sessions.
Gently flowing and Adapting!
My first days here have been if intensely being present and listening! In the past, I would hit the ground running and do too much to early! I’ve listened really well to my body. Moving gently. Eating lightly. Keeping myself awake until bed time here. Walking but not too much. And today, I feel like I’m aligned with this space time on the other side of the world!
Tomorrow is my last day here before I travel. I’m going to Pangkor Island, a new experience for me, for a couple days of exploring and relaxing. And some beach time! I had difficulty booking a place. One looked really nice but I couldn’t get a response from them! I shifted gears, let them go, and found another that sits on the edge of the forest. I’ll wake to the sound of hornbills and other creatures and still be only a couple hundred meters from the beach. Two different beaches actually! Perfectly!
I stopped by a travel office this morning to ask some questions and booked transportation to Taman Negara for next week. A very helpful and friendly lady who offered me great advice for getting around, dealing with leeches and so forth. She suggested the place I booked in the village there is a very good choice!
Sunday morning early, I need to get to the bus station. Lots of confilcting informaiton on how to do that. Today, I went on my first metro trip to KL Sentral and exploration there. In the terminal building, I walked by an information desk. They directed me to a transit station. The people working there told me the best way to get to the bus station which only takes 7 minutes by their transit connection! Awesome!
My phone has been giving me some challenges. It wouldn’t connect! I was on wifi and cellular and it wouldn’t connect to either. I had changed settings but today, again, it wouldn’t work. KL Sentral has an apple store. It took the young lady there about 30 seconds to navigate through and show me a setting to change. POOF! Magic! It’s been working fine since!
Exploring but balanced!
I’m balancing resting, adapting and walking. This morning is the beginning of my fourth full day here. I’m feeling adapted but still taking it easy. I’m headed back to Little India for lunch today. It’s so interesting wandering through the streets there and the people are so friendly! Not to mention, the food is outstanding!!
Travel overview!
Before I leave home, I remind myself to stay flexible and adapt, no matter what! In my decades of travel, I’ve seldom had a flight change. On the way to the airport, my phone started buzzing. The incoming flight from Chicago was delayed for a mechanical issue. The one hour estimate for it’s arrival kept expanding! Eventually, it turned into 2 1/2 hours. My need to be flexible, adapt and adjust began before arriving. Secondly, I know things are always working out for me. If I stay out of the way, con’e overstress, let things unfold, they always do. In this case, that’s exactly what happened!
United staff at checkin told me they couldn’t access the partner airline out of Japan, I’d need to wait until I got there. I received a United club pass so headed there to relax. It was a perfect place to chill away from the hectic energy of the airport. The ladies at the club got into their system and were able to put me on a list for a backup flight. However, I’d have to wait 2 hours, fly to Singapore, wait 8 hours and then fly to Kuala Lumpur. In addition, my United app suggested I contact an agent for rebooking help. I didn’t. Now, the interesting part.
At the gate checking us in, we were told “DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES”!!! This partner airline and United were not communicating very well. The lady explained to me that making changes now is when luggage gets lost. And, they were already making connections for all passengers.
Once I arrived in Tokyo, I was escorted to a table covered with tickets and list. They took care of urgent departures first. Then, they handed me a boarding pass, complete with my baggage being redirected, for a later flight to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Air! An agent walked three of us through the concourse and down staris to another desk. The agent there took all our informaiton, double checked baggage, confirmed passport information and I was on my way to a distant gate. I had just under 4 hours to wait. But it all went smoothly!
Knowing to be flexible, to flow with what is happening, and to stay focused on a pleasant outcome takes so much less energy! I got quite a bit of sleep on that flight!
Travellers Ark on Kuala Lumpur
My initial flight was to land at 12:15. The trains don’t run at that hour. Taxi’s charge a 50% surcharge. But, that’s what it takes. My flight landed at 5:30 am, the express train starts at 5:00 am. I have their app, booked a ticket and headed through customs, immigration, etc.
I bought an eSim good for Asia. I set it up in the Denver Airport. Once I landed in Malaysia, it started automatically. That was great…except for the phone bug I mentioned above.
Having been here several times, I knew how to switch to another train with a stop near where I am staying, walked to my hotel and arrived before 7:00. They have a “portal system” for after hours guest. I was given a code and a number for the box to open. A key allowign me entry to the hotel and my room was to be inside. It wasn’t!
MORE FLEXIBLILTY…even after 30 hours of travel. I waited about 10 minutes when a guest was leaving. She let me in. I walked up the stairs knowing no one would be there until 9:00 or after. I slept on the sofa. When Jason arrived, he was very apologetic. The key was with a note locked into a drawer!
HOME!!! for the next four nights, this was my home. And I’ve loved being here! They have a lounge area where the sofa is in the photo below. It is air conditioned which is not the case in many places. And, they have a lift!!! The staff has been really good! They have a rooftop area on the 5th floor they are developing which has agreat view!
Next phase of this adventure.
Tomorrow, I travel to Pangkor Island. It’s a new place for me. I’m staying in a place surrounded by natural forest. I’ll wake to the sound of Hornbills! And it’s a short walk to two different beaches. And they have been uncommonly great at communicating with me!
There are a lot of steps and it’s up a hill. Normally, that is not an issue. But with my knee being more tender, I have to plan accordingly. Fortunately, they store backpacks here. I’ll pack light for four days, leave everything else here, and head off for beach and swimming the ocean therapy!!
Have a look: Pangkor Island
I’m staying here: Utan Teluk Nipah
Below are several videos I made on my journey. It’s time now to get organized, make my bus and ferry booking and get something to eat.
From Denver learning my flight will be delayed.
Weary traveller arriving in Tokyo. What day is it? What time is it??
Arrival in Kuala Lumpur! Whew! Nice to be here.
Waiting for the express train to KL Sentral. Fast, comfortable and very quiet this time of day!
View of the express train!
Gallery of experiences so far
Welcome along!
I’m happy having you along. If you have any questions for me about places, food, weather, new friends, etc…please ask!